Ten on Tuesday 9th March 2013

This week I am honoured to feature Denise, an incredibly talented crafter.

1.    Who are you and what do you do? 

I am Denise Hayes and I am a Doula (birth coach/companion) and crafter - I sew, knit and crochet as well as make bump castings for pregnant ladies. I make & sell scarves, cowls, hats, handwarmers, home decor and whatever else I'm asked to make - I have some unusual items! www.etsy.com/shop/LookingGlassDesigns1   

 

2.    How did you get started? 

I was given a long stitch kit as a present when I was 8. Or maybe it was an owl rug hooking? I can't remember - I know I was given both at about the same time. I was given kits of various needlecrafts for years and then as a teenager took a class in High School called Textile Arts and Crafts and learned some sewing, how to dry flowers, crochet, and a few other crafts. I continued to cross-stitch and designed a few pieces for family over the years. When my son was smaller, I needed to do something from home and started selling on Etsy. I make all sorts of products and have ideas for even more, but not enough time in the day to do them all - yet! I don't have a favourite craft  though I tend to go in stretches of mostly doing one or the other. I'm sewing right now when I can making oven mitts and potholders - some to put in a local store to sell. I have a blog where I chat about all sorts of crafty and not so crafty things and post the odd recipe too. - http://throughthelookingglass12.wordpress.com/  

3.    What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Keep smiling. And keep making.

 

4.    Do you have a favourite holiday destination?

It may sound a bit boring to most Brits, but I love travelling in the UK and learning about its places and history - stately homes, cities like York, and Chester, or even just to local places in Cambridge - the oldest Colleges are fascinating! I am Canadian so all the history in the UK keeps drawing me in.

5.    What was the first record you bought?

Hmm.... I think it was a Bryan Adams cassette - not sure which.

 

6.    Which 4 people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party and why?

The Queen, my Scottish great-grandmother, Freddie Mercury and my husband - because I think they all have wonderful stories to tell and we could talk all night about all sorts of subjects.

7.    If you won £1million how would you spend it?

I would buy a house, travel for a few months, then save the rest.

8.    Who would you most hate to be stuck in a lift with?

Anyone who didn't have any patience or a small child who needed the loo.

9. What was the last book you read? Would you recommend it to others?

Agatha Christie's Nemesis  - I would recommend her books for escapist reading.

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Hopefully as an established Doula with a tidy little craft business. 

Thanks for answering these Denise. I've been wanting to read some Agatha Christie for some time so will make an effort to download some to my Kindle.